Featured!

ROBOT PARTY!

Celebrations are fun, but they are even more fun with Robots!

If you backed us at the Individual or Family Month/Annual/Lifetime Member level then it’s included in your membership. Otherwise back us at the $10 level and you are in! If you’ve already backed us and want to attend the party, just add $10 to your existing pledge and send us a note.

The party will be held on Feb. 2nd and we’ll be announcing all the fun activities really soon!

DIY Party For You and 14 Maker Pals

Are you tired of the same old party tricks? Are you ready to have a fun and unique party? If you are planning a birthday party, best bachelorette party ever, work retreat or just want to do something fun with you and a bunch of friends, then this reward is definitely for you.

$400 gets you and 14 other people a two hour deluxe DIY party. Includes age and theme appropriate project with instruction, refreshments and a take-home kit. That's just $27/person. Pretty awesome reward if you ask me!

Note: If you have a specific date in mind, then send us a note to ask if the date is available before pledging.

Videoblogging Workshop with Ask A Ninja

To help us reach our goal, we are turning to Kent Nichols, co-creator of Ask A Ninja to find out how to become YouTube Superstars. Have you been thinking about making a web video or series? Want to become the next DIY star like Sylvia of Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show or show off your geekiness like on CharlieIsCoolLike or The Guild? Maybe you are a super fan and want to make a fan video like A Simple Walk Into Mordor. Whatever it is, Kent will get you on your way to being in the 2013 rewind edition of YouTube.

This class is taught once per month for five months. Each class is 3 hours long and will meet on Jan. 12th, Feb. 9th, March 2nd, April 13th and May 11th. This reward includes a Three Month Individual Pass or One Month Family Pass in 2013. Bring a friend. Teams of Two are encouraged!

Tabletop Film Classes

We are offering two classes, one for families with kids under 13 (Pledge $25) and another all ages class (Pledge $45) for aspiring filmmakers. To bridge the gap between storytelling to story making, we will use a new tool that was, itself, the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign...The Tabletop Moviemaking Studio. Inspired by Wells, Dali, Bergman, Yeats and Piccaso, Tabletop Moviemaking draws on the history of Juvenile Drama and puppet theatre popularized in the Victorian period.

There are a number of research projects the LA Makerspace community is involved with, such as working to detect radiation from deep space (DECO), mapping insect biodiversity in the Los Angeles basin (BioSCAN), and searching for next-generation solar materials (SHArK). One of our newer ones is Safecast Air, whose goal is to develop and distribute open-source air quality monitors which will allow anyone in the world to access real time data on what’s in their air.

At the $100 level, ten lucky backers will be awarded an exclusive Safecast Air - 1 monitor. With these you’ll be able to track a number of air quality metrics in your community, and help report it to the public Safecast database. This level also includes field trips and opportunities to work with scientists and engineers at CalTech, Natural History Museum, Tokyo Hackerspace (plus more), and participate in projects that include insect biodiversity, radiation, air and water quality. The $40 level includes all of these opportunities but does not include the air quality sensor.

We Are Makers

The Los Angeles Makerspace is a non-profit community space for makers and tinkerers of all ages to create and collaborate. Our mission is to provide a place where kids can learn alongside adults, maker parents can bring their children, and where people of all ages can join in making and learning through creating projects, participating in workshops and taking classes. Makers of all ages can take classes and receive mentorship in software, hardware, electronics, robotics, art, filmmaking, citizen science, bio-tech, eco-tech, wearable-tech, and more!

We Want To Do Even More Cool Stuff

We have 2100 square feet of space at the LA Mart that needs to be filled with equipment, tools, and supplies to bring our makers' ideas to life. We need 3D printers, a laser cutter, computer workstations, arts & crafts materials, filmmaking equipment, metal and woodworking tools, electronics and robotics, and so much more!

Maker Movement

We are part of the global Maker/DIY Movement, recognized as being responsible for invigorating innovation and spurring new ideas. The concept behind a makerspace is to provide shared physical resources that are otherwise unaffordable or unattainable by an individual or family, and to support the community. Makerspaces provide a fluid workspace, as well as the collaboration, inspiration, and encouragement of like-minded others.

At the LA Makerspace, our volunteer mentors and instructors hail from different backgrounds and skill sets, including: Software Engineers, Hardware Engineers, Artists, Scientists, Teachers, Filmmakers, Roboticists, Rocket Scientists, Librarians, Executives, Entrepreneurs, Moms, and Dads dedicated to the proposition that making things is essential to creating an awesome society. This diversity of talents and interests is currently reflected in our board of directors.

Rewards

Our strengths are offering unique classes taught by highly skilled instructors and providing on-going membership. Our rewards will build our membership base so that time outside of focused workshops will be used to continue refining and completing projects. The reward membership prices are only offered on Kickstarter and are not available anywhere else. These membership prices will not be available when we officially open the space in January 2013. In addition to using the space to work on your projects, you can share your knowledge with others and teach classes.

Sold Out - Arduino Class by Mark Frauenfelder!

LA is lucky to be home to Mark Frauenfelder- writer, illustrator and ukulele fanatic, not to mention founder & editor of Boing Boing and editor-in-chief of Make: Magazine. Mark, our friend and supporter, has generously offered to teach the class How to Control Things and Make Noise with an Arduino.
It's going to be enlightening, fun, and everyone will leave feeling like a legit Maker. And that's not all!! Mark's assistant is none other than Qtechknow! Quin is 12 and taught a Beginner Arduino Class for us. This reward includes instruction and required parts and tools. PLUS +One Month Family of Four Pass in 2013.+

Sold Out! Workshop: How to Start Your Own Makerspace or DIY Community

You like what we are doing and want to know how you can do something similar in your city. Help us help you. We'll 'hang out' with you and a bunch of other amazing, makerspace-interested folks on G+ Hangout and brainstorm & answer your questions about getting a kid-friendly makerspace going near you!

Not in LA?

Our makerspace is located in Los Angeles, but we know many of you that don't live here like this project and want to support it. We thought long and hard about how to include you in the community from afar and hope that the rewards, as well as the ability to gift memberships to family, friends, or to other makers gives you a nice warm feeling, like after a good solder. Don't forget, if you plan to be in LA anytime in 2013, you can use the pass to work on a project!

Toddler Friendly

Many families have young kids that aren't quite ready to handle a soldering iron or run a laser cutter, so we have dedicated an area in the space for our Young Engineers and Artists to work on age-appropriate projects and Mom or Dad can focus on their own projects.

The Team

Ariel Levi Simons is a high school physics teacher at the Wildwood school in Los Angeles, where he also currently manages a student research program connecting students from Los Angeles high schools with established physics and environmental science research groups as well as supporting independent research projects. Levi is the head of the air quality monitoring project for Safecast.

Jeff Geoffray is a motion picture producer and executive with a deep knowledge of all facets of filmmaking, including financing, development, production, special effects, post-production and distribution. He is one of the founders of Blue Rider Pictures, one of Hollywood’s most prolific, long established, film production companies and Vumanity Media.

Joseph Chiu is a product engineer specializing in prototype and pilot product engineering. He has worked for Idealab, the original incubator located in Pasadena and has a wide breadth of experience in computer technology, covering hardware, firmware, OS, networking, and applications.

Kent Nichols is the filmmaker extraordinaire behind our Kickstarter video. He co-created the pioneering web series Ask A Ninja which has been viewed over 140 million times. He is currently Content Partnerships Manager at blip.tv and a new Dad!

Lindsay Stuartis a Communications Manager at Huge, a digital agency in Los Angeles. She previously worked at the American Society of Safety Engineers and is dedicated to helping the LA tech community grow through tech-focused workshops, events, DIY classes, and more. Her specialties include event production, public relations, and corporate communications.

Michael D. Wilson is an Education Technology Specialist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, designing and developing interactive media based educational experiences for the museum. He has created a robotic pelican that tells the story of flight, a vibrating light-pen that shakes the matrix off of a hologram fossil, an interactive flash bashed scientific journey to 2000 feet below sea level, and a computer controlled microscope for looking in-depth at gems.

Michelle Leonhart is a Software Engineer & Operations Manager for textPlus, manages the non-profit hackerspace Crashspace, mentors an all-girls FTC Robotics team, and teaches programming and electronics to both children and adults.

Sharon Ann Lee is a Cultural Trend Analyst & Founder of CULTUREBRAIN, a think tank and studio focused on studying trends, culture, creativity and ideas that matter. She is also Founder of Jellyfish Cartel, a creative co-working space in LA for thinkers, makers and doers.

Tara Tiger Brown is the Technical Director at the Digital Media Learning Research Hub at UC Irvine, Technical Advisor for Born This Way Foundation, Co-creator of Represent.LA, Co-manager DIY Girls and Forbes Contributor. Previously she has worked at USC Annenberg Innovation Lab, Shazam, Topspin, and Microsoft.

Teresa Gonczy is an entrepreneur and educator who wants to help the next generation of kids feel capable of changing the world. She has owned and managed several successful brick-and-mortar businesses, as well as helped to start a charter elementary school.

We Love Our Growing Community

The LA Makerspace is all about community, it's a place for kids and adults to collaborate and teach one another on a whole host of projects.

We are a blended community made up of youth, families, interest-based groups, stay-at-home parents, home-schooled kids, after-school students, and individuals that come from all over LA who are excited and intrigued by the possibility of making their own projects and helping kids learn and discover along the way.The Kickstarter funds will provide the equipment and resources to help our community physically build their projects, but in order for the projects to be truly successful, we need the community to share their skills and knowledge with each other.

"Fantastic to see the LA Hack Jam making informal education great - with the belief that kids who are inspired by tech, creativity, and coding will have more opportunities in life." - Lili Cheng, General Manager of Microsoft's Future Social Experiences (FUSE) Labs

"We enjoyed partnering with the LA Makerspace on the Youth Hack Jam event. It was a great opportunity for our members to share their technology experience with kids. The organization and engagement provided was impressive." - MIT Club of Southern California

"No one else in LA is doing this." - Leah's Mom who comes to almost every single event.

FAQ

When the Kickstarter ends we will send out a survey and ask if there is someone in particular you want to gift it to or if you will like to gift it to a deserving young maker or maker family. We are building a list of Angelenos that would love a gifted membership.

For e.g. let's say you want to buy 5 Day passes. Choose "One Day Pass to LA Makerspace " and when you get to the page that asks how much you want to donate, enter $50 (5 day passes x $10). Be sure to include a note for us when you submit your order so we know if you want to split up the amount or not. When we hit our funding date, we'll send a survey to get the exact info.

I like to say that we are kid-friendly but not exclusively for kids. I have a young son and I look forward to working on projects with him at the space, but I also look forward to working on my own projects and especially look forward to working on projects with my ladies tech group.

We have had classes that just aren't great for young kids..like our zombie makeup effects class...but we balance that with face painting so it feels inclusive.

We differentiate ourselves from most hackerspaces because we want kids around. Didn't a 15 year old just make a major break-through in cancer research? In order to do that we are creating a section for young kids to hangout when their parents are soldering, etc. and we require kids under 13 to bring a parent or guardian with them during open project times and many of our classes.

The key is that you are comfortable with kids around and understand that it may get noisy!

We know, the class is so cool! And that's why Mark specifically asked to keep the class at a reasonable size so he can spend time with everyone. But don't fret! We have some more classes up our sleeves!

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

Your name will be written on our 'Thanks For All The Fish!' wall by a Young Maker. Spelling and quality of handwriting cannot be guaranteed.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

90 backers

One Day Pass to LA Makerspace (13+) in 2013 with access to equipment and tools and your name written on our 'Thanks For All The Fish!' wall. *Makers under 13 are free with an adult. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to someone who is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

18 backers

**One Ticket to our Grand Opening Robot Party on Feb. 2nd. **

If you are a Month/Annual/Lifetime Member, then your ticket is included in your membership and you'll be receiving an invitation.

If you have a non-membership pledge, increase it by $10 per party goer and send us a note.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

126 backers

One Month Individual Pass (13+) in 2013 with access to equipment and tools, a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker. Plus your name written on our 'Thanks For All The Fish!' wall. *Makers under 13 are free with an adult. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to someone who is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

13 backers
Limited (6 left of 19)

**Workshop: Tabletop Filmmaking for Makers under 13.** This class includes instruction by filmmakers and all tools and materials. Explore the definition of story, the techniques of turning stories into media, and produce a story that we develop in class. *Note: Young filmmakers must bring a parent or guardian (free of charge).

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $40 or more

6 backers

Citizen Science Working Group. Includes field trips and opportunities to work with scientists and engineers at CalTech, Natural History Museum, Tokyo Hackerspace (plus more) and participate in projects that include insect biodiversity, radiation, air and water quality. You will also receive a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker. Plus your name written on our 'Thanks For All The Fish!' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to someone who is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $45 or more

3 backers
Limited (16 left of 19)

**Workshop: Unique Tabletop Filmmaking Class for 13+** This four hour class includes instruction by filmmakers and all tools and materials. Explore the definition of story, the techniques of turning stories into media, and produce a story that we develop in class using Tabletop Moviemaking Studios.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

8 backers
All gone!

Workshop - One Google+ Hangout spot with the knowledgeable LA Makerspace team. Learn how to setup your own makerspace, events, workshops and engage your DIY community. Plus! One Day Pass in 2013 to spend time at LA Makerspace in-person.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

9 backers
Limited (7 left of 16)

**Official Membership in the LA Makerspace Interstellar Hitchhiker Makers Group** This reward Includes an official towel, a Space Elevator Presentation by Michael Laine of LiftPort, Intro to Rocket Ship building, one ticket to a 2013 LA Space Salon, plus group tours of local space companies including JPL. We will be meeting regularly to continue our exploration of outer space and spacecrafts together and maybe even build our own space elevator or Electronic Thumb, an electronic sub-etha signaling device to flag down passing spacecraft.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $60 or more

35 backers

One Month Family of Four Pass in 2013 with access to equipment and tools, a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker. Plus your name written on our 'Thanks For All The Fish!' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to a Family that is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

20 backers
All gone!

**Exclusive Class** by MARK FRAUENFELDER and assistant Qtechknow! 'How to Control Things and Make Noise with an Arduino.' Mark is editor-in-chief of MAKE magazine, and the founder of the popular Boing Boing blog. This rewards includes class instruction and all tools and materials. PLUS One Month Family of Four Pass in 2013. *Note: One Maker under 13 free with an adult.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

3 backers
All gone!

**Exclusive Class** OLGA KAY (youtube.com/olgakay) is teaching a Videoblogging Intensive Workshop. Learn from one of the best YouTubers around the how to's and do's and don'ts of building an audience and making videos for the interwebs. Bring a camera or smartphone capable of shooting video, a laptop, and your creativity and questions! PLUS One Month Family of Four Pass in 2013. *Note: One Maker under 13 free with an adult. Moosh!

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

9 backers
All gone!

Citizen Science Working Group. Includes one exclusive to Kickstarter SAFECAST AIR-1 SENSOR. Field trips and opportunities to work with scientists and engineers at CalTech, Natural History Museum, Tokyo Hackerspace (plus more) and participate in projects that include insect biodiversity, radiation, air and water quality. You will also receive a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker. Plus your name written on our 'Thanks For All The Fish!' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to someone who is.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

12 backers

Annual Student Pass (13-18) in 2013, Member-only Class Pricing, RFID Membership Card, a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker and laser cut Thank You Card. Plus your name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to someone who is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

4 backers
Limited (6 left of 10)

**Create A Video Series For YouTube**
Want to become the next YouTube Star, or just figure out how to communicate through video? Kent Nichols, award-winning video maker, original YouTuber, USC Instructor, and co-creator of Ask A Ninja will help you create a video series using the technology around you. Bring a camera or smartphone capable of shooting video, a laptop, and your creativity and questions! This class is held once a month for five months. Each class is 3 hours and meets Jan. 12th, Feb. 9th, March 2nd, April 13th, May 11th, 2013. PLUS! Three Month Individual Pass or One Month Family Pass in 2013. *Note: Bring a friend. Teams of two are encouraged!

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $300 or more

12 backers

Annual Individual Pass (18+) in 2013, Member-only Class Pricing, RFID Membership Card, a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker and laser cut Thank You Card. Plus your name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to someone who is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $400 or more

5 backers
All gone!

EARLY ROBOBIRD SPECIAL!!! Annual Family of Four Pass in 2013, Member-only Class Pricing, RFID Membership Card, a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker, laser cut Thank You Card. Plus your name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to a Family that is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $400 or more

0 backers

**Deluxe DIY Party for 15 People in 2013** Includes a two hour party at LA Makerspace with an age and theme appropriate project including instruction, refreshments and a take-home kit. Note: If you have a specific date in mind, then send us a note to ask if the date is available before pledging.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

4 backers

Annual Family of Four Pass in 2013, Member-only Class Pricing, RFID Membership Card, a Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker, laser cut Thank You Card. Plus your name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to a Family that is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $1,500 or more

2 backers
Limited (1 left of 3)

Sponsor a 3D Printer. Includes Annual Family of Four Pass in 2013. You or your organization's name will be engraved on the 3D Printer. Plus you will receive a 3D printed badge and you or your organization' name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

1 backer

Lifetime Individual Membership (13+). One Deluxe Birthday Party. Member-only Class Pricing. Locker. RFID Membership Card. A Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker. Laser cut Thank You Card. Plus your name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to a Family that is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $3,750 or more

1 backer

Lifetime Family of Four Membership. One Deluxe Birthday Party. Member-only Class Pricing. Locker. RFID Membership Card. A Digital Badge of Honor, Stickers and Buttons designed by a Young Maker. Laser cut Thank You Card. Plus your name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall. **Love what we are up to, but not in the LA area? You can gift your Pass to a Family that is.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2013

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

Sponsor our Laser Cutter. Includes a VIP Maker Party for you and 20 guests in 2013. Annual Family of Four Pass in 2013. A laser cut plate with you or your organization's name will be mounted on the laser cutter. Laser cut Thank You Card and you or your organization's name added in special lettering to our 'Thanks For All The Fish' wall.